Retronauts Podcast

Retronauts is 1UP's self-described "podcast for old people," an hour-long biweekly journey into gaming's storied past. Topics span the gamut from the golden age of the '80s arcade to finding historical context for current releases. The common thread that binds them all, however, is our love for games of every era, regardless of platform, bit count or origin. Every two weeks, join host Bob Mackey and a revolving cast of informed oldsters as they discuss current retro releases, relevant news stories, and one major topic -- often with the help of our wonderful listeners. And don't forget to subscribe to the Retronauts blog for supplementary info on every podcast, track listings for the music you'll hear in every episode, and a variety of content that promises to hit you right in the nostalgia center of your brain.

Retronauts Prime Episode 59

On this all-too-soon finale of 1UP's Retronauts, we forego the sappy goodbyes and instead concentrate on what we've done best in these past seven years: complain incessantly about Virtual Console. Join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Chris Kohler, and Ray Barnholt as they look back on the wonders and blunders this recent generation has brought to classic gaming, and mull over what the future will hold for retro games on shiny new consoles. Thanks for your support over the years!

(88.1 MB) - Length: 1:36:17

Retronauts Prime Episode 58

We're back with a marginally new title, and slightly older hosts! Join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Sam Claiborn, and Ray Barnholt as they adhere to Retronauts tradition for this first show of the new year by discussing 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, and 1993. And if that's not enough for you, we talk about ALF a bunch for some reason. No problem!

(102.7 MB) - Length: 1:25:33

Retronauts Live Episode 57: 2012 Holiday Extravaganza

Your favorite classic gaming podcast is here to save Christmas -- and with an unprecedented lack of Ernest P. Worrell. Join Bob Mackey and the rest of the Retronauts crew for this extra-special holiday surprise, featuring traces of the wit and whimsy that made you love last year's celebration so much.

(123 MB) - Length: 1:30:09

Retronauts Live Episode 56: Day of the Tentacle

It's been almost 20 years since a purple tentacle sipped sewage and nearly took over the world, and since then, we've been left with nothing but questions. Thankfully, Day of the Tentacle project leads Tim Schafer and Dave Grossman decided to drop by the Retronauts studio for an entire hour of discussion about the classic adventure game they helmed two decades ago. Note: hamsters were frozen, microwaved, but ultimately not harmed in the making of this episode.

(86 MB) - Length: 1:15:08

Retronauts Interview Minisode: Jordan Mechner and Karateka

Nearly 30 years after its original release, Jordan Mechner's groundbreaking 1984 classic Karateka has returned for a brand new audience. Join Retronauts host Bob Mackey for a special interview with Mechner about the remake of the game that started his career. NOTE: This episode suffers from a bit of audio crackle due to faulty podcasting equipment. We're sorry!

(16.2 MB) - Length: 0:17:43

Retronauts Live Episode 55: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Cowabunga! Radical! Et cetera! If you entered this world at some point in the '80s, you no doubt experienced the pizza-promoting phenomenon that taught children the names of four Renaissance artists. Join Retronauts host Bob Mackey, along with guests Kat Bailey, Ray Barnholt, and Marty Sliva as they thoroughly explore Konami's many Ninja Turtles games, and perhaps learn the secret of the ooze?

(77.6 MB) - Length: 1:20:46

Retronauts Live Episode 54: Double Dragon

With the release of Double Dragon Neon making the series relevant once again, Retronauts host Bob Mackey sits down with Scroll's Ray Barnholt and IGN's Sam Claiborn in an attempt to sort out the million ports of the few games starring Billy and Jimmy Lee. If you have a conveyor belt phobia, we advise you skip this one.

(71.9 MB) - Length: 1:18:37

Retronauts Live Episode 53: PAX Prime 2012 and the Post-Apocalypse

It's the end of the world as we know it, and the Retronauts feel fine. Well, maybe a little gassy. Join host Bob Mackey, along with guests Chris Kohler, Marty Sliva, and Jose Otero, as they depress a crowd of PAX Prime attendees with a discussion of video game portrayals of the post-apocalypse. Duck, cover, jam in your earbuds and laugh along with us for an hour as the world burns.

(56.1 MB) - Length: 1:01:21

Retronauts Live Episode 52

The second installment of Retronauts Movie Month wraps up with a look at 1989's The Wizard, Universal's attempt to siphon even more money from the parents of Nintendo-obsessed children. Join Bob Mackey, Marty Sliva, Sam Claiborn, and Ray Barholt as they discuss the glaring video game inaccuracies contained within before collapsing in a fit of Christian Slater impressions.

(76.1 MB) - Length: 1:23:12

Retronauts Classic Gaming Expo 2012 Minisode

After an exciting and event-filled day of pawing over old video games and standing in the awe-inspiring presence of Howard Phillips (sans bowtie), Retronauts host Bob Mackey sits down with the gang from Retroware.tv to discuss the goings-on at Classic Gaming Expo 2012.

(39.7 MB) - Length: 0:42:23

Retronauts Live Episode 51

In 2001, Final Fantasy made its journey to the silver screen, and the resulting disaster exiled movie director and series creator Hironobu Sakaguchi to the hellish shores of Hawaii. But was it really all that bad? Join host Bob Mackey and guests Chris Kohler, Ray Barnholt, and Marty Sliva as they summon their own spirits within for a lively discussion of this cinematic failure.

(65.7 MB) - Length: 1:11:43

Retronauts Live Episode 50

We've done a lot of these, haven't we? In honor of Retronauts' 150-ish episode, join host Bob Mackey in this podcast retrospective as he presents some of the show's finest moments over the past six years, featuring the return of old friends, and a myriad of other surprises!

(82.0 MB) - Length: 1:25:23

Retronauts Live Episode 49

It's been a few months since our last laser-focused traditional episode, so this time around, we decided to set our sights on a beloved game that's near and dear to all of our hearts: Final Fantasy IV. Listen in as Retronauts host Bob Mackey employs the help of Jeremy Parish, Jose Otero, and Marty Sliva to talk about what makes this highly available 16-bit RPG so amazing. And we managed to get through this entire episode with only one mention of the word "spoony!"

(63.4 MB) - Length: 1:09:15

Retronauts E3 2012 Minisode: MonkeyPaw Games' John Greiner

Just because it's E3 doesn't mean we don't have time to podcast! Okay, that's not completely true, but we went ahead and did it anyway. Join Retronauts host Bob Mackey on this special episode featuring an interview with MonkeyPaw Games' John Greiner. Listen in and learn about the coming onslaught of Tomba-mania, and marvel at the impressive acoustics of an abandoned maintenance hallway.

In this special interview minisode of Retronauts Live, Bob Mackey chats with veteran developer Chris Jones about the return of the classic Tex Murphy adventure series via his new Kickstarter titled "Project Fedora." Listen in and learn how this new age of philanthropy is giving us a classic adventure game Renaissance.

(18.4 MB) - Length: 0:20:10

Retronauts Live Episode 48

Keeping in line with our week of What If content, episode 48 of Retronauts Live features Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, and Jose Otero exploring the possibilities of alternate realities in audio form. Listen in and be amazed as the Retronauts crew summons the powers of conjecture to bring you an hour of split timelines and improvised histories.

(63.7 MB) - Length: 1:06:18

Retronauts Live Episode 47

Since we've been busy with events and special guests, our listener mail segment has suffered unduly. To remedy this issue, episode 47 of Retronauts Live is entirely devoted to questions from listeners like you. Jam in your earbuds and listen to the voices of Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Marty Sliva, and Ray Barnholt as they soothe readers desperately in search of answers.

(66.3 MB) - Length: 1:08:57

Retronauts Live Episode 46

On this episode of Retronauts, former Working Designs head honcho Victor Ireland weaves grand tales of the '90s video game marketplace for a rapt audience consisting of Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, and Gamasutra's Christian Nutt. Slip on your Lunar punching puppets and pendant replicas, and get ready to fall headfirst into podcast that's real, unless you dream it's not.

(55.4 MB) - Length: 1:00:34

Retronauts Live Episode 45

In a complete reversal from last the negativity of their last PAX installment, the Retronauts are back to celebrate just what makes awesome games so awesome. Join Jeremy Parish, Chris Kohler, Kurt Kulata, and Seth Macy live from PAX East 2012 as they entertain a crowd of thousands by praising the favorite games of audience members brave enough to step up to the mic.

(65.7 MB) - Length: 1:08:23

Retronauts Live Episode 44

Retronauts returns to the age of dial-up and low poly counts with a grab bag of topics relating to the magical decade known as the 1990s. Boot up your favorite minidisc player, crack open a can of Surge, and unroll the nearest Fruit by the Foot and prepare yourself for series of discussions about a time when we were all less surly.

(67.4 MB) - Length: 1:13:37

Retronauts Live Special Contest Minisode

Do you yearn to prove to the world your expertise on an extremely obscure subject? Then enter Retronauts' newest contest! The grand prize winner will get to choose the topic for an upcoming episode, and star in a special call-in segment with our cast of reliable regulars. For more details, consult your local library, or this .mp3 file. You'll be glad you did.

(3.5 MB) - Length: 0:03:35

Retronauts Live Episode 43

Retronauts Movie Month comes to a close with a discussion of 1995's Mortal Kombat, the movie that put Paul W.S. Anderson on the map. Join Bob Mackey, Jose Otero, and Marty Sliva as they talk about the highs and lows of this rock-stupid kung-fu flick. Even though it's made by a different directing Anderson, there will be blood.

(63.3 MB) - Length: 1:05:48

Retronauts Live Episode 42

A mere month after their last episode on the subject, the Retronauts once again tackle Resident Evil -- but this time, in movie form. On this third installment of Retronauts Movie Month, join Bob Mackey, Marty Sliva, and Jose Otero as they discuss Paul W.S. Anderson's successful 2002 attempt to make Milla Jovovich his b-movie bride.

(65.1 MB) - Length: 1:07:46

Retronauts Live Episode 41

For the second installment of Retronauts Movie Month, Bob Mackey, Kat Bailey, and Marty Sliva discuss 1994's Street Fighter, a film that sincerely wants you to believe Jean-Claude Van Damme is from America. Listen in as we recount some of Street Fighter's most memorable moments, most of which involve the late, great Raul Julia.

(63.6 MB) - Length: 1:06:09

Retronauts Live Episode 40

19 years ago, Bob Hoskins, John Leguizamo, and Dennis Hopper did something shameful. On this first installment of Retronauts Movie Month, join Bob Mackey, Marty Sliva, and Ray Barnholt as they explore the public act of silver screen indecency otherwise known as Super Mario Bros.

(66.4 MB) - Length: 1:09:03

Retronauts Live Episode 39

2012 marks Maniac Mansion's 25th birthday, and what better way to celebrate a quarter-century of adventure gaming than a discussion with co-designer Ron Gilbert? Over the course of an hour, Retronauts Bob Mackey and Thierry Nguyen grill Ron on the ins and outs of this legendary adventure game, revealing mysteries that might just blow your mind. Note: no hamsters were harmed in the recording of this episode.

(59.0 MB) - Length: 1:01:25

Retronauts Live Episode 38

The recent Resident Evil 6 trailer has us all buzzing about the future of this storied Capcom series, but what about the past? Listen in as Retronauts Bob Mackey and Jose Otero jump into Resident Evil's highly uneven legacy, aided by the help of their loyal listeners.

(79.8 MB) - Length: 1:23:02

Retronauts Live Episode 37

We're not done with Sega yet! Picking up from last week's episode, Retronauts Bob Mackey, Jose Otero, and Ray Barnholt field calls from listeners about their favorite Sega series they'd like to see revived.

(49.9 MB) - Length: 0:51:53

Retronauts Live Episode 36

Sega's more than just Sonic, you know; over the years, the famed Japanese developer tried (and ultimately failed) to launch several properties that are still near and dear to our hearts. Join Bob Mackey, Jose Otero, and Scott Sharkey as they explore Jet Set Radio, Panzer Dragoon, and Shenmue, and catch up on a hefty backlog of listener mail (but you can skip to 31:54 if you don't care about that).

(92.2 MB) - Length: 1:36:05

Retronauts Live Episode 35

Tradition! It's more than just a song in Fiddler on the Roof, you know. As expected from the first Retronauts episode of the New Year, this installment features a retrospective on a variety of previous dates. Join Bob Mackey, Chris Kohler, Christian Nutt, and Sam Claiborn as they discover the monumental mysteries of 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, and 1992. It's infotainmencational!

(89.6 MB) - Length: 1:33:15

Retronauts Live Episode 34

It's Christmas! Well, almost. Join Retronauts host Bob Mackey in his remote holiday cabin for a very special episode featuring a grab bag of topics brought by his many 1UP-employed visitors. Grab of cup of your favorite nog, find a place to hide from the family, and take some time to unwind with nearly 90 minutes of retro gaming discussion. It's the real reason for the season.

(79.1 MB) - Length: 1:26:23

Retronauts Live Episode 33

For the sake of closure, Retronauts host Bob Mackey employs the help of Sam Claiborn, Scott Sharkey, and Marty Sliva to discuss two decades of Simpsons games. Will they be crantastic, cromulent, craptacular, or have us shouting boo-urns until our throats are sore? If you managed to decipher the previous sentence, this is the podcast for you.

(84.9 MB) - Length: 1:32:40

Retronauts Live Episode 32

In the wake of GamePro's recent closing, Retronauts host Bob Mackey brings in former staffers Kat Bailey, Will Herring, and Ray Barnholt (along with general magazine enthusiast Matt Leone) to discuss their time at this dearly departed magazine. And for all you fans of inside baseball, we also chat about the future of games journalism. It's navel-gazey!

(63.6 MB) - Length: 1:09:27

Retronauts Live Episode 31

While we don't have race cars, lasers, or airplanes, life truly is like a hurricane here at 1UP. But that doesn't mean we don't have time for podcasts! Join Retronauts Bob Mackey, Sam Claiborn, and Ray Barnholt as they discuss Capcom's many NES Disney games, and desperately to figure out how to best undergo a "mousecapade."

(72.1 MB) - Length: 1:18:41

Retronauts Live Episode 30

Whether you like turkey or tofurky, the Retronauts are here to make your Thanksgiving just a bit brighter. Join Bob Mackey, Jose Otero, and Marty Sliva as they discuss Turkey day-related gaming memories with devoted listeners, and try to decide between stuffing and potatoes -- there can only be one.

(56.1 MB) - Length: 1:01:16

Retronauts Live Episode 29

Kirby's nearly 20, so we decided to jump the gun and celebrate two decades of cuddly, pink games full of fruit and candy. Join Retronauts host Bob Mackey, Wired's Chris Kohler, IGN's Audrey Drake, and freewheelin' freelancer Ray Barnholt for 90 minutes of discussion about one of Nintendo's most multifaceted characters.

(86.3 MB) - Length: 1:29:48

Retronauts Live Episode 28

It is the nineties and there is time for burgers. Join Bob Mackey, Ray Barnholt, Chris Kohler, and MonkeyPaw Games' Ray Almeda and John Greiner as they discuss the newly-released BurgerTime World Tour and run frantically from angry wieners.

(25.3 MB) - Length: 0:27:36

Retronauts Live Episode 27

'Tis the season... for scary games. (Hey, there can be two seasons.) Join Retronauts Bob Mackey, Jose Otero, and Scott Sharkey as they divulge secret fears and field calls on the subject of games likely to coax the tar out of your many orifices.

(82.6 MB) - Length: 1:25:55

Retronauts Live Episode 26

On this week's Retronauts, Bob Mackey, Jose Otero, and special guest VoidBurger tackle the foggy streets and shocking plot twists of the Silent Hill series. If you're fresh to the franchise, prepare to be spoiled like a year-old banana.

(82.5 MB) - Length: 1:30:03

Retronauts Live Episode 25

The PS2 is somehow on the brink of its 11th birthday, which makes us all feel very old. Join Retronauts host Bob Mackey and guests Scott Sharkey and Ray Barnholt as they discuss Sony's past console with listeners and age audibly.

(82.5 MB) - Length: 1:30:03

Retronauts Live Episode 24

Still craving more b-list Japanese RPG chatter after last week? You're in luck; Retronauts host Bob Mackey along with guests Kat Bailey and Christian Nutt pick up this subject once again for a roundtable discussion of Xenosaga, Lufia, Wild Arms, Shadow Hearts and more.

(110 MB) - Length: 2:00:10

Retronauts Live Episode 23

On this week's episode of Retronauts, host Bob Mackey and guests Meghan Sullivan (of IGN) and a slightly less-audible Janine Dong field calls from listeners about their favorite and least favorite B-list Japanese RPGs. The winners are praised, and the losers are thrown down into Pony Canyon. Who will survive?

(100 MB) - Length: 1:49:46

Retronauts Live Episode 22

Just what the heck is a Kunio-kun? In our newest installment, Retronauts host Bob Mackey and guests Ray Barnholt, Marty Sliva, and Kurt Kulata seek to untangle this mess of a franchise and its many renamed English-language installments. River City Ransom fans, take note.

(81.1 MB) - Length: 1:28:33

Retronauts Live Episode 21

School and gaming: an unlikely combination? Yet somehow Retronauts host Bob Mackey and guests Sam Claiborn and Ray Barnholt generated 90 minutes of discussion on this topic -- with the help of our lovely listeners, of course.

(84.5 MB) - Length: 1:32:19

Retronauts: The Bootleg Session, Vol. 1

Didn't happen to be in Seattle for PAX Prime 2011? Don't worry; we've managed to tap into the underground podcast bootleg scene to bring you one full hour of Jeremy Parish, Chris Kohler, Jeff Green, Nich Maragos, and Bob Mackey ripping into the beloved games of their devoted fans.

(84.9 MB) - Length: 1:01:45

Retronauts Live Episode 20

What's the deaaal with Star Fox? Over the next 87 minutes, Retronauts host Bob Mackey and co-pilots Kat Bailey (of GamePro), Sam Claiborn, and Brian Altano (both from IGN) attempt to figure out one of Nintendo's oddest franchises with more rowdiness than you would expect. Also, prepare yourself for bonus discussion of Nintendo's Urban Champion, making this podcast the most anyone has talked about that game in 25 years.

(79.8 MB) - Length: 1:27:12

Retronauts Live Episode 19

It's still August, which means the Super Nintendo 20th Anniversary train is still a-rollin'. Strap on your earbuds and enter a world of informed opinions as Retronauts host Bob Mackey and guests Jeremy Parish, Jose Otero, and Marty Sliva wrangle calls in an attempt to give the SNES even more love. It's gonna get sloppy.

(52.9 MB) - Length: 0:57:48

Retronauts Live Episode 18

With the release of Deus Ex: Human Revolution on the horizon, Retronauts host Bob Mackey sits down with Thierry "Scooter" Nguyen, Ryan Winterhalter, Scott Sharkey, and Mike Nelson to talk about Ion Storm's groundbreaking franchise -- and since Metroid's 25th anniversary just passed us by, there's talk of that as well. This episode truly has something for everyone, except for people who don't care about Deus Ex or Metroid.

(92.1 MB) - Length: 1:40:36

Retronauts Live Episode 17

Jeremy Parish passes the Retronauts reins to Bob Mackey as guests Ray Barnholt and IGN's Sam Claiborn join in for a rousing discussion about the Super Nintendo on its 20th birthday. Note: this episode isn't live, but you can always talk into your iPod if it makes you feel better.

(76.4 MB) - Length: 1:23:32

Retronauts Live Episode 16

It's the most awkward episode of Retronauts ever as Jeremy Parish, Ryan Winterhalter, Ray Barnholt, and Sam Claiborn talk about Sonic the Hedgehog's anniversary with a bunch of people who are completely unfamiliar with Retronauts, and podcasts in general!

(23.8 MB) - Length: 52:06

Retronauts Live Episode 15

It's an E3 two-fer as Jeremy Parish hits the studio with Sharkey/Scooter/Kohler for a pre-show chat, followed by an on-the-spot session with Bob Mackey, Nadia Oxford, and JC Fletcher. Old things! They're awesome.

(45.6 MB) - Length: 1:39:44

Retronauts Live Episode 14

Jeremy Parish and Marty Sliva take to the phone lines to discuss the 25th anniversary of Dragon Quest. But alas! The phone lines don't work, meaning that this episode is but the first half of a larger, eventual Dragon Quest chat.

(20.3 MB) - Length: 0:44:21

Retronauts Live Episode 13

Chrono Trigger arrived on Virtual Console last week, and that's pretty much all the excuse Jeremy Parish, Jose Otero, and Scott Sharkey needed to open the phone lines and talk about the game. Featuring the voice of Lavos!

Retronauts Live Episode 11

We celebrate both the existence of Colecovision and the merger of 1UP and IGN by dragging Scott Bromley and Sam Claiborn into the studio to talk all things Coleco with Jeremy Parish and Scott Sharkey. It's collaborative!

(25.6 MB) - Length: 0:55:54

Retronauts Live Episode 10

Jeremy Parish, Christian Nutt, and Scott Sharkey take to the phone lines and the world of Justin.tv to discuss Capcom's Mega Man X series with and in front of a live audience. Whatever we're fighting for, it appears to be a totally sweet cause.

Retronauts Live Episode 8

Everyone loves arcade games! At least, everyone who calls in to talk this episode. As long as you're referring to classic arcade games. With these caveats in mind, quarter up and listen to Jeremy Parish, Frank Cifaldi, Scott Sharkey, and Brandon Sheffield.

(29.3 MB) - Length: 1:04:03

Retronauts Live Episode 7

Retronauts Live goes aggro and jumps its schedule a few days to hadouken facts about Street Fighter II's 20th anniversary right in your face. (Please do not throw up.) Featuring J. Parish, F. Cifaldi, M. Nelson, J. Otero, and a call-in cast of thousands.

(25.7 MB) - Length: 0:56:17

Retronauts Live Episode 6

The Game Boy Advance's 10th anniversary is all the excuse we need to open the phone lines and force our GBA opinions down your throat. Live the adventure with Jeremy Parish, Frank Cifaldi, Chris Kohler, and Christian Nutt! Be sure to bring a light source!

(27.7 MB) - Length: 1:00:34

Retronauts Live Episode 5

We couldn't think of a topic, so the onus was on you caller folks. So, now you can listen to Jeremy Parish, Frank Cifaldi, and Sam Kennedy talk about River City Ransom 2, Famicom Disc System (FREAKIN' FINALLY), Demon's Crest, and other random stuff.

(23.7 MB) - Length: 0:51:53

Retronauts Live Episode 4

The semi-annual tradition of us talking in front of a bunch of people continues with this overview of the 16-bit era. Kurt Kalata of Hardcore Gaming 101 joins Frank Cilfaldi, Chris Kohler, and a very under-the-weather Jeremy Parish for this PAX East talkstravaganza!

Retronauts Live Episode 2

You demanded it and we complied: more call-in discussion of Zelda. And Famicom Disc System, in theory. Join Jeremy Parish, Frank Cifaldi, Chris Kohler, and strangers on the phone as they deal with bleeping call-in lines and echoing audio feedback. Sweet.

(20.0 MB) - Length: 0:43:48

Retronauts Live Episode 1: Zelda's 25 Birthday

So maybe we can't do Retronauts on our own... but we can do it with your help! Jeremy Parish, Frank Cifaldi, and Shane Bettenhausen open the phone lines to take your calls on The Legend of Zelda's 25th anniversary, and a good time is had by all.

(19.7 MB) - Length: 0:43:06

Retronauts Episode 2011-A: 01/13/2011

Dabbling in a brief bout of necromancy, Jeremy Parish grabs Frank Cifaldi, Scott Sharkey, and Chris Kohler to do a year-end roundup for 1971, '76, '81, '86 (and so forth) before letting the show return once again to the grave.

(54.2 MB) - Length: 1:58:23

Retronauts Episode 99: 10/14/2010

We put the wraps on the Retronauts podcast the only way we know how: with a disorganized discussion of video game endings riddled with failed jokes, platform bias, and gross factual inaccuracies.

(59.8 MB) - Length: 2:10:40

Retronauts Episode 98: 09/10/2010

Retronauts' penultimate episode sees Parish, Cifaldi, Kohler, and Maragos chatting about the NES's silver anniversary at PAX. Then Sharkey and Barnholt join the lovefest in the studio. After 170 minutes of this nonsense, you'll be glad to see us go away!

Retronauts Episode 96: 07/17/2010

Parish, Barnholt, Cifaldi, and Kohler look back at the halcyon days of June 2010 by recapping the classic franchises that received a renewal at E3. Tech issues and lost recordings can't keep this crew from jawing on at length about old games, nosirree.

(42.9 MB) - Length: 1:33:45

Retronauts Episode 95: 06/24/2010

When podcasts collide... you get a downright erratic episode of Retronauts. Ray Barnholt talks to fellow podcasters Jordan Morris and Jesse Thorn, and explores the duo's own histories with videogames. But just what do they talk about? Virtually everything, including the Atari Lynx, Nintendo's E3 lineup, all sorts of sports games, R.O.B., and Barkley Shut Up and Jam Gaiden. Let's go!

(65.9 MB) - Length: 1:12:04

Retronauts Episode 94: 06/10/2010

1985 was a banner day for nostalgia, and Jeremy, Ray, Frank, and Sharkey look back on the glorious pop-culture bounty of that year with quarter-century tributes to Back to the Future, The Goonies, and Gradius. Add it up and you have 75 years of nerdiness.

(46.7 MB) - Length: 1:42:02

Retronauts Episode 93: 05/27/2010

Parish, Sharkey, Barnholt, and Cifaldi muse on the history and trickery of 3D visuals in gaming. Not the stupid gimmicky 3D tech the kids like these days, oh no. REAL fake 3D, with vector lines and scaling sprites and Gouraud shading.

(43.4 MB) - Length: 1:34:49

Retronauts Episode 92: 05/13/2010

Jeremy Parish, Ray Barnholt, Frank Cifaldi, and Chris Kohler discuss news of old things, contemplate the mysteries of spring 1990, question the parallels between Virtual Boy and 3DS, and make entirely too many dumb jokes. You know you love it.

(49.6 MB) - Length: 1:48:31

Retronauts Episode 91: 04/16/2010

Frank Cifaldi plays host to a Tengen reunion as former programmers Steve Woita, Franz Lanzinger, and Mark Morris share tales of life at the greatest unlicensed Nintendo publisher ever.

(40.4 MB) - Length: 1:28:20

Retronauts Episode 90: 04/01/2010

Jeremy Parish, Shane Bettenhausen, Kurt Kalata, and Chris Kohler take to the mean streets of Boston's Hynes Center to explain the mysteries of game collecting to a capacity crowd!

Retronauts Episode 88: 03/05/2010

Ray Barnholt takes the mic as Game Developer's Brandon Sheffield joins the crew to talk about the arcade legacy of Data East...and Data West!?

(43.3 MB) - Length: 1:34:43

Retronauts Episode 87: 02/18/2010

When plans to talk about Data East go awry (again!), Jeremy, Ray, Sharkey, and Kohler improvise and babble about vaguely game-related things for almost 90 minutes. It's very free-form! But is it art?

(40.6 MB) - Length: 1:28:40

Retronauts Episode 86: 02/04/2010

Jeremy, Ray, Chris, and a strangely transient Justin Haywald sleepily revisit the Lunar series and the overarching Game Arts ouevre. All through the niiiiight, keep marchiiiiing oooooon!

(33.7 MB) - Length: 1:13:39

Retronauts Episode 85: 01/21/2010

Frank Cifaldi joins Jeremy, Ray, and Chris again to discuss the potential of Microsoft's Game Room, the fake history of Dark Void Zero, and the mysterious history of Sunsoft.

(45.0 MB) - Length: 1:38:22

Retronauts Episode 84: 01/07/2010

We kick off 2010 with our annual look-back to bygone years. Jeremy Parish, Ray Barnholt, Frank Cifaldi, and Chris Kohler explore the mysteries of 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, and 1995 in this entirely too lengthy episode!

(51.1 MB) - Length: 1:51:46

Retronauts Episode 83: 12/22/2009

We've checked out for the year, so Sharkey, Tina, and Mike join Jeremy for an aimless, rambling discussion of random holiday gaming memories. Then Sharkey sticks around to talk about Habitat before Justin and Jade hop in to talk about FFVIII's on PSN.

(45.2 MB) - Length: 1:38:42

Retronauts Episode 82: 12/10/2009

Parish, Barnholt, Haywald, and Kohler discuss the strange resuscitation of Virtual Console, the overlooked legacy of Zelda's portable entries, and the 15th anniversary of PlayStation.

(44.9 MB) - Length: 1:38:00

Retronauts Episode 81: 11/19/2009

Jeremy Parish, Ray Barnholt, and Chris Kohler use the launch of the retro-tastic New Super Mario Bros. Wii an excuse to wax nostalgic about Mario's SNES episodes.

(37.6 MB) - Length: 1:22:12

Retronauts Episode 80: 11/05/2009

Dr. Greg Zeschuk joins Jeremy Parish, Bitmob's Jason Wilson, and at1UP's Travis Williams to talk about the history of his company: A plucky little start-up called BioWare.

(36.5 MB) - Length: 1:19:53

Retronauts Episode 79: 10/22/2009

Beautiful 2D is alive and kicking on Wii. WayForward's Marc Gomez and Sean Velasco talk about remaking NES classic A Boy and His Blob, while Shane Bettenhausen shares the secret history of Muramasa. Also: Yoko Shimomura, the return of news, and more!

(38.6 MB) - Length: 1:24:24

Retronauts Episode 78: 10/08/2009

We go on the road again (with all the rough audio quality that entails) to talk to Konami producer Tomm Hulett about his role in recent remakes and revivals of Rocket Knight, Contra, and Silent Hill. Other participants in this triple-segment show include: 1UP's Matt Leone, Konami's Pearl Lu and Simon Lai, and Nich Maragos from Atlus. 573 x 3 = Retronauts!

(47.3 MB) - Length: 1:43:27

Retronauts Episode 77: 09/17/2009

Also live from PAX! A guerilla-style episode featuring random conversations with the Earthbound fans behind fangamer.com, 1UP readers who love Bethesda and Super Mario, and the programmer for abortive Trek game The Secret of Vulcan Fury. It's a grab bag of randomness.

Retronauts Episode 75: 08/20/2009

Ray Barnholt steps (er, sits) into the host's chair to lead up a discussion of a topic near to his heart: the TurboGrafx-16's 20th anniversary. Gamasutra's Christian Nutt and Brandon Sheffield guest, while Jeremy Parish serves as ballast.

(37.8 MB) - Length: 1:22:41

Retronauts Episode 74: 08/06/2009

Parish, Barnholt, and Kohler mark the Game Boy's 20th anniversary in America by talking about... every portable system except Game Boy.

(40.1 MB) - Length: 1:27:37

Retronauts One-Off The Grind (Pilot Test Episode): 07/16/2009

With Dragon Quest IX a hit in Japan and Valkyria Chronicle getting a sequel, we take a short break from Retronauts for a test run of a podcast companion to our Japanese/Western/MMO RPG blog The Grind. (Don't fret, Retronauts will return to its regular irregular schedule next week... or maybe the week after that.)

(22.0 MB) - Length: 0:48:07

Retronauts Episode 73: 07/02/2009

The show returns with its participants in a rush to quickly discuss the death of Michael Jackson; E3's reboots of Monkey Island, Metroid, and Castlevania; and the 25th anniversary of Tetris. This episode is so brief that one might call it... the very soul of wit.

(25.4 MB) - Length: 0:55:35

Retronauts Episode 72: 05/21/2009

1UP contributor and Majora's Mask superfan Bob Mackey calls in to discuss Ghostbusters games with Parish and Sharkey. And hey -- Majora's Mask came out on Virtual Console this week, so we talk about that, too.

(26.0 MB) - Length: 0:56:43

Retronauts Episode 71: 05/14/2009

Kohler and Sharkey drop by to talk about Nintendo's most racist game ever, Punch-Out!! But first, Ray and Kohler pick apart Parish's essential Game Boy selections. Surprisingly, no one impersonates Mike Tyson.

Retronauts Episode 69: 04/30/2009

Retronauts hits episode 69 and we don't make a single joke about it. In fact, we talk about Star Trek, which is pretty much the opposite of sex. Also: Game Boy, Gunstar Heroes, and Virtual Console Arcade.

(47.9 MB) - Length: 1:44:36

Retronauts Episode 68: 04/23/2009

Jeremy Parish, Ray Barnholt, Kurtis Seid, Chris Kohler, and Jenn Frank break in a new program format. Enjoy an hour of highly-focused discussion on Game Boy's birthday, Vandal-Hearts' sequel, and Final Fantasy's remakes... plus 50 aimless minutes as well.

(51.1 MB) - Length: 1:51:36

Retronauts Episode 67: 03/12/2009

Jeremy Parish, Andrew Fitch, and Shivam Bhatt join together with the other 105 Stars of Destiny to explore the history of Suikoden. Thrill as we obsess! Gasp as we alienate our listeners with opinions! It's suik-o-riffic.

(69.5 MB) - Length: 1:15:54

Retronauts Episode 66: 02/26/2009

Christian Nutt returns to school the regulars on the vagaries of Ys developer Falcom. And vague it is! The mysteries of Falcom are almost, but not quite, sorted out.

(67.3 MB) - Length: 1:13:32

Retronauts Episode 65: 02/12/2009

Matt Leone and Kat Bailey join Jeremy and Ray to break down the Metal Slug series and talk about E.G.G. while readers eulogize EGM.

(64.9 MB) - Length: 1:10:57

Retronauts Episode 64: 01/29/2009

Sega's Ethan Einhorn drops by to discuss Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection in an episode that spans time, space, and the same dumb jokes made twice.

(64.5 MB) - Length: 1:10:27

Retronauts Episode 63: 01/14/2009

The ghost of Shane Bettenhausen joins the intrepid party of Parish, Sharkey, Barnholt and Kohler for a trippy, cross-talking journey into the mind of Shigesato Itoi's Mother series.

(50.0 MB) - Length: 1:28:17

Retronauts Episode 62: 01/09/2009

Unbeknownst to them, the regular crew (Parish, Sharkey, Barnholt, Kohler, and Bettenhausen) close out an era. Yet the show must go on, and brother, do we ever go on. At length: a year-end review show focusing not on 2008 but rather its older siblings 1988 and 1998. (And its weird uncle, 1978.)

(44.3 MB) - Length: 1:23:38

Retronauts Episode 61: 12/10/2008

Atlus localization editor Nich Maragos joins the Retronauts crew to discuss the history of the Persona series. It's an episode so good you'll shoot yourself in the head! (In a good way.)

(46.6 MB) - Length: 1:27:00

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